The Kerala Government decides to have an OTT platform for the Malayalam film industry. The launching date is fixed for November 1^st– Kerala Day!

As part of a cultural intervention aimed at promoting and appreciating the efforts of the Malayalam cinema industry, Kerala Government has decided to set up an OTT platform solely for the release of all Malayalam movies.

The Malayalam cinema industry has produced some of the finest actors and a huge number of mind-blowing movies. Today this industry is among the top in the country with classic contributions in every aspect, be it acting, directing, producing, music direction, script writing etc.

The main reason behind such a generous initiative is not revenue generation, rather media to encourage and support the efforts taken by the cine artists. The main players in the OTT industry like Netflix and Amazon have taken an interest in the Malayalam cinema field, however, they are ready to display movies with a huge star value which are sure to generate revenue. Many of the best films which may be small-budget ones, lay undiscovered as there is no means of bringing them out in the open, especially taking in the pandemic scenario. Last year only around 15 movies were allowed to stream online on the above-mentioned platforms.

Even though the market is crowded with too many platforms, the government is taking this up as a cultural intervention, rather than looking at its viability. We do have an audience that is spread out across the globe. Even an OTT platform like Mubi, which has curated content, has its set of audiences. But our priority will still be the big screen, with the films first getting a screening in the cinemas and then coming to the OTT platform, Mr Shaji N Karun, Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) Chairman, said while speaking to the Hindu

While there are home-based OTT platforms like Mainstream TV and Neestream, they are yet to gain the financial strength to compete with the hotshots in the field. According to the latest Malayalam cinema news, The Kerala Government initiative is mainly intended to create a space that ensures that all Malayalam movies, including low budget ones, see light.

The film bodies in Kerala have wholeheartedly welcomed this decision. We think it is a good opportunity for many filmmakers who make movies without a big star cast. A majority of the theatres and existing OTT platforms are selecting movies based on star value. Moreover, there are over 80 movies that were completed in the last year and are awaiting OTT release said Kerala Film Chamber President G Sureshkumar.

Once the Covid situation is under control and movie halls are reopened, producers can screen the film in KSFDC owned theatres before releasing them on the new OTT platform.

Every filmmaker dreams of screening his movies on the big screen. Community viewing makes movies special. So, if they get a theatre screening first and then get to shift the movie to the OTT platform, it will be more beneficial to the producers,” said KSFDC chairman Shaji N Karun.

Mr Karun added that movies of female directors will also get priority as part of the woman empowerment drive. Plans are going on to renovate the Chitranjali studio into one of the finest in the state, meeting International standards and reclaiming its lost glory. This movement is to assist low-budget filmmakers to deliver high-quality content within their means.

Fans all over the State have happily accepted the efforts on the part of the Kerala Government in promoting the Malayalam film industry. We hope the new initiatives and brilliance of the movie industry will produce yet more outstanding movies we can be proud of.